Category: Baking

Hi there! I will be whipping up a treat with this at the weekend, but wanted to know your thoughts on it and spread some awareness of its origin and uses.

P.A.N is actually an acronym meaning “Producto Alimenticio Nacional”, translating to “National Food Product”, originating in Venezuela and is seen as a staple in Venezuelan diets. It is also used widely across the rest of South America and cornflour such as this is also a used in a lot of African cooking too, and can be used in a similar way to Italian Polenta.

Main uses include Venezuelan arepas and empanadas – yummy! It also boasts no additives and is great for those following a gluten free diet.

Now for the hard part…

As violence, political and economic instability continues in Venezuela, it is estimated that 3 million people have fled their homes, with at least 1 million now based in nearby Columbia. This figure includes 300,000 children, some of whom are travelling alone leaving them incredibly vulnerable. It is predicted that by the end of 2019, this number will rise to 5.3 million.

Below are some stark statistic from Save The Children US, on the impact this current situation is having on children still in Venezuela:

I will be making an Inspired by Venezuela recipe later this year, but for now if you would like to have a look at some of the other South American Recipes, I have put together a list, including delicious recipes like Crab and Sweet Potato Fritters to Piri Piri Style Turkey Breast!

Remember all recipes are created for you not only to enjoy, but to also raise awareness of the struggles these countries face on a daily basis, so if you would like to make a donation to Save The Children, who are working everyday to support children around the World, please visit my just giving page by clicking the link Just Giving for more information.

As many of you return to work this week and school after the summer break, let’s have a look back at the Feastforfamine recipes in August. I hope you enjoyed the recipes and even got to try some out, and whether you had a staycation or travelled further afield I hope you had fun and are feeling well rested.

First up in August was a trip to the USA for the healthy but delicious Key Lime Pots, the aim of this recipe was to try and keep all the flavour of this American classic, but without the calories and cooking time, I hope it worked!

Remember all recipes are created for you not only to enjoy, but to also raise awareness of the struggles these countries face on a daily basis, so if you would like to make a donation to Save The Children who are working everyday to support children around the World, please visit my just giving page by clicking the link Just Giving for more information.

Looking for some easy lunch box or after school treats this week? Then try one or both of my gluten free cookie recipes…Nutella or Peanut Butter Cookies, you choose! Please click on the links below to go straight to these deliciously easy recipes:

2. Peel and thinly slice the onion and fry in the olive oil with the dried spices on a medium heat for 5mins

3. Add your cooked potato, sweetcorn and chopped coriander to the onion and spice mixture and cook for 2mins more to ensure all ingredients are covered in the onion and spice mix

4. Turn off the heat and leave to one side to cool

5. Preheat your oven to 180f

6. While you are waiting for the mixture to cool make the Pea Raita by combining all ingredients and giving it a good blitz in a food processor, pop in the fridge until ready to serve with your samosas

7. Now make your samosas, check out the video here https://youtu.be/09Upx-kVIvQ that shows an easy way to roll the pastry, I used a little olive oil to brush at the end to hold all in place and a little over the top before popping them in the oven

8. Pop in the oven for 25- 30 minutes until golden

9. Serve with the Pea Riata

10. Enjoy!

350,000 children are currently at risk after India’s eastern coastline was hit by Cyclone Fani, they need water, food and shelter. As well as this recent disaster, one child in twenty dies before their fifth birthday from preventable diseases and an estimated 12 million children are employed as child labourers, often in dangerous conditions. Save The Children are currently there trying to provide help and support to these children to provide them with a better future…to find out more please visit:

Doing a spot of baking this weekend and scones are so easy to make I won’t bore you with the recipe…but would love to hear how you eat yours… I have to admit I do love strawberry jam and clotted cream the best!

So how is Summer treating you so far? Exams, deadlines? Or vacations and new destinations? Whatever you are doing I hope it is filled full with sunshine, picnics, BBQs and alfresco dining!

The beginning of July marked the six month anniversary of the Feastforfamine journey and as a little bonus recipe I shared Nan’s Jam Tart, a recipe I remember fondly from my childhood and now share with my daughter, it’s so easy but so tasty and full of memories for me!

I love summer cooking and food, but often find it difficult to think of desserts that compliment lighter eating, so during the warmer months when entertaining, I will always make at least one pavlova as it’s light but sweet and you can add any flavour combinations you like, I definitely think I have found a winning combo with the Inspired by New Zealand – Orange, Honey and Macadamia Nut Pavlova, and I would also love to have your favourite pavlova creations too, feel free to contact me here Contact, and I will have a go and making some of them before the summer is over.

Finally in July, we went to Myanmar for Pork and Mango Coconut Noodles (https://feastforfamine.blog/2019/07/29/inspired-by-myanmar-pork-and-mango-coconut-noodles/), you can use up any other left over meats you have from your Sunday Roast, but they have a saying in Myanmar ‘Of all the fruit the mango is the best, of all the meat, the pork is the best and of all the leaves lahpet is the best’, and I certainly agree with that for this recipe, the pork and mango really are the best combo…I hope you do too!

Remember all recipes are created for you not only to enjoy, but to also raise awareness of the struggles these countries face on a daily basis, so if you would like to make a donation to Save The Children who are working everyday to support children around the World, please visit my just giving page by clicking the link Just Giving for more information.